Allen Rossum - He fell off

Originally posted by Method:I know many of you guys like Allen Rossum as our kick return/ punt return guy, but I think he's done. I feel like the kick/punt returner should be a player who may not have one of the best averages, but is a threat to take it to the house every time he gets the ball. I'd much rather have someone who can do that over someone like Allen who has a very high average but has a very slim chance of taking it all the way.

A guy like Josh Cribbs, who only has 2 touchdowns for his career as a returner, is still feared by every team that kicks it to him so they actually have to game plan a little more for the threat. For Allen, no one gives a s**t because the dude doesn't have that extra gear anymore.

Are you happy with Allen's play or do you, like I do, hope we get a new PR/KR?

Originally posted by Method:I know many of you guys like Allen Rossum as our kick return/ punt return guy, but I think he's done. I feel like the kick/punt returner should be a player who may not have one of the best averages, but is a threat to take it to the house every time he gets the ball. I'd much rather have someone who can do that over someone like Allen who has a very high average but has a very slim chance of taking it all the way.

A guy like Josh Cribbs, who only has 2 touchdowns for his career as a returner, is still feared by every team that kicks it to him so they actually have to game plan a little more for the threat. For Allen, no one gives a s**t because the dude doesn't have that extra gear anymore.

Are you happy with Allen's play or do you, like I do, hope we get a new PR/KR?

I agree 100%. If Crabtree ever signs with us, I'd like him to be the guy we cut. Let's give Spurlock a try. I believe he returned the ball well for Tampa Bay last year.

Originally posted by Method:I know many of you guys like Allen Rossum as our kick return/ punt return guy, but I think he's done. I feel like the kick/punt returner should be a player who may not have one of the best averages, but is a threat to take it to the house every time he gets the ball. I'd much rather have someone who can do that over someone like Allen who has a very high average but has a very slim chance of taking it all the way.

A guy like Josh Cribbs, who only has 2 touchdowns for his career as a returner, is still feared by every team that kicks it to him so they actually have to game plan a little more for the threat. For Allen, no one gives a s**t because the dude doesn't have that extra gear anymore.

Are you happy with Allen's play or do you, like I do, hope we get a new PR/KR?

I agree with Rossom looks old and slow out there. My predition is tha he will be cut in the next couple of weeks.

Originally posted by Method:I know many of you guys like Allen Rossum as our kick return/ punt return guy, but I think he's done. I feel like the kick/punt returner should be a player who may not have one of the best averages, but is a threat to take it to the house every time he gets the ball. I'd much rather have someone who can do that over someone like Allen who has a very high average but has a very slim chance of taking it all the way.

A guy like Josh Cribbs, who only has 2 touchdowns for his career as a returner, is still feared by every team that kicks it to him so they actually have to game plan a little more for the threat. For Allen, no one gives a s**t because the dude doesn't have that extra gear anymore.

Are you happy with Allen's play or do you, like I do, hope we get a new PR/KR?

I agree with Rossom looks old and slow out there. My predition is tha he will be cut in the next couple of weeks.

Originally posted by Method:I know many of you guys like Allen Rossum as our kick return/ punt return guy, but I think he's done. I feel like the kick/punt returner should be a player who may not have one of the best averages, but is a threat to take it to the house every time he gets the ball. I'd much rather have someone who can do that over someone like Allen who has a very high average but has a very slim chance of taking it all the way.

A guy like Josh Cribbs, who only has 2 touchdowns for his career as a returner, is still feared by every team that kicks it to him so they actually have to game plan a little more for the threat. For Allen, no one gives a s**t because the dude doesn't have that extra gear anymore.

Are you happy with Allen's play or do you, like I do, hope we get a new PR/KR?

I agree with Rossom looks old and slow out there. My predition is tha he will be cut in the next couple of weeks.

ur dumb predictions r making us indians look bad

My dumb predictions usually come true and make us Indians look smart. Haha

KR averages are going to be down across the NFL this year and hits on the KR are going to be harder more often, due to the rule change preventing a 3-man wedge on KR. That puts a premium on a guy who can get to the 20 yard line quickly and hold onto the ball when hit. Sounds like Rossum to me. And don't discount Rossum's ability to take it to the house, if/when there is a seam. People on this board have such short memories.

Spurlock is a new toy, so he's getting more play than he deserves. I doubt that Spurlock will be on the 53-man roster for the entire season. He will likely be cut to make room for a more talented and more needed player. For now, he is simply "Rossum insurance".

You want to replace our veteran Kick and punt returner? A guy that you admit has a good avg. I can't recall the last time we had a special teams blunder and Rossom is why. He is good at what he does. Unless he gets hurt or really starts fumbling and bumbling, lets be happy we have a solid return man.

Field position, for the ball control 49ers of current, is pretty damn important, we need someone back there who can get the ball down the field a good distance on a regular basis. I wish we could have both, a threat to take it to the house, who was also a high average guy. Maybe Spurlock is that guy, maybe not but if I were to choose between the two, it would be for high averages.

Rossum averaged 26.8/KR last season and returned one 104 yds for a TD, and never fumbled. He also average 14.9/PR and never fumbled.

Those are good stats in my book.

I should have added that among returners with enough stats to be relevent, Rossum ranked in the the top 10 in both KR and PR average last year. As another poster pointed out, the rule change eliminating the 5 man wedge is going to bring the KR averages down this season.

Give him a chance to play a few games before you draw any conclusions.

Not sure that I want to be critical of a punt returner after one game. Maybe our special teams guys need more work. Or it could be to some extent, we have converted 3rd downs and not needed to punt as much. Giving Rossum less chances at a return.

This fan site is dedicated to the 49ers and their fans. It is in no way affiliated with the NFL or any of its teams. All teams and players mentioned on this site are registered trademarks of the NFL. The use of any team names, words, trademarks, logos or photos have been used for descriptive purposes only. The content and information from other sites is the property of their respective owners. Player and team photos used with permission from USA TODAY Sports Images.